Ukraine Marks 70th Anniversary of Massacre of Jews

More than 14,000 Jews and others were massacred by the Nazis in Simferopol, Ukraine 70 years ago. Relatives remember the horror.

By Tzvi Ben Gedalyahu

First Publish: 12/14/2011, 9:35 AM

Remembering the massacre at Simferopol

Arutz Sheva

Relatives of more than 14,000 Jews and others massacred by the Nazis in the Ukrainian city of Simferopol 70 years ago gathered Sunday to remember the horror.

They observed a moment of silence, held a march and erected a monument in memory of the victims, as reported on the Arutz ShevaRussian site.

The Nazi regime carried out one of the largest wartime massacres in Simferopol, murdering more than 20,000 residents, most of them Jews. On December 9, 1941, at least 14,300 Jews and others were killed.

Deputy Parliament Chairman Grigori Iyoffe said, "Today, when Nazism is raising its head, memory is our only weapon. Only in this way can we remember and not forget what happened here 70 years ago."

After the ceremony, Israeli Ambassador Reuven Daniel said, “The tragedy that befell the Jews here is horrible. Today, we are able to ask that the murdered victims pray for us. I think that every one of us, no matter which country he is from, can do a lot to prevent this from happening again.”